Objective
The Investigating Officer (IO) shall focus on:
Collection and preservation of scientific, documentary, and physical evidence.
Restoration of law and order and normalcy in the affected area.
Rescue and protection of victims and shifting injured persons for immediate medical treatment.
Eliciting the truth behind the incident and identifying the aggressors.
Prompt arrest and prosecution of offenders.
Conducting a qualitative, impartial, and evidence-based investigation.
Key Investigation Objectives
A. Recording statements of victims, injured persons, and witnesses.
B. Collection of Medical Evidence, FSL Reports, and Expert Opinions.
C. Securing conviction of offenders and punishment of aggressors.
D. Restoring public confidence and communal harmony.
E. Preventing recurrence of violence through lawful preventive measures.
I. Immediate Response and Restoration of Order
The first priority shall be:
Saving lives.
Rescuing victims.
Providing medical assistance.
Preventing escalation of violence.
Deploy adequate police force to:
Control the situation.
Prevent retaliatory attacks.
Restore public peace.
Protect vulnerable persons and properties.
Establish police pickets wherever necessary to prevent recurrence of violence.
Conduct peace meetings with community leaders, Maithri Committees, and local stakeholders.
II. Registration of FIR and Initial Action
Register FIR promptly under appropriate provisions of law.
Send copies of FIR to all concerned officers through online mode.
Provide a copy of FIR to the complainant and obtain acknowledgment.
Record statements of complainants and injured persons in the vernacular language.
Mandatory Statement
The following statement shall be incorporated in Part-II Statements:
"I can identify the accused if they are shown to me."
Record statements in Telugu or in the language spoken by the witness.
If statements are recorded in English, reasons shall be documented in Part-I, Part-II Statements, and Case Diary.
III. Examination of Complainant and Victims
The IO shall carefully examine the complainant and establish:
a. Date and time of occurrence.
b. Place of occurrence.
c. Motive behind the incident.
d. Number of accused persons involved.
e. Specific overt acts of each accused.
f. Weapons used.
g. Previous enmity or disputes.
h. Number of injured and deceased persons.
i. Identity and particulars of injured persons.
j. Relationship between accused and victims.
Victim statements shall preferably be recorded at:
Crime Scene.
Hospital.
Residence.
Any place convenient to the victim.
IV. Common Causes of Rioting
The IO shall investigate and establish the underlying cause, including:
Land disputes.
Family disputes.
Long-standing enmity.
Political rivalry.
Faction disputes.
Financial disputes.
Gang rivalry.
Mafia activities.
Rowdy supremacy.
Communal tensions.
Boundary disputes.
Irrigation disputes.
Other local conflicts.
V. Scene of Crime Investigation
Visit the scene immediately.
Secure and preserve the crime scene.
Prevent disturbance of evidence by onlookers.
Collect Geo-Location Coordinates (Latitude and Longitude).
Conduct Scene Observation Panchanama.
Prepare Rough Sketch at the scene.
Undertake photography and videography.
Scientific Evidence Collection
The IO shall collect:
Blood-stained earth.
Control earth.
Weapons.
Stones.
Sticks.
Rods.
Swords.
Explosive remnants, if any.
Damaged property.
Personal belongings left by accused.
Other incriminating articles.
VI. Care of Victims and Witnesses
Shift injured persons immediately to hospital with requisition and escort.
Obtain medical treatment without delay.
Segregate close family members from crowds to facilitate accurate statement recording.
Avoid hasty questioning while victims are under emotional distress.
Provide reassurance and support to victims and their families.
VII. Examination of Witnesses
Examine:
Eye witnesses.
Circumstantial witnesses.
Injured witnesses.
Independent witnesses.
Record statements in writing.
Examine witnesses at locations convenient to them wherever possible.
Identify witnesses capable of proving:
Aggression.
Participation.
Weapons carried.
Overt acts.
Damage caused.
VIII. Medical and Forensic Evidence
Obtain Medical Certificates of all injured persons.
Collect:
Injury Certificates.
Medical Examination Reports.
Hospital records.
Send:
Blood-stained weapons.
Clothes.
Biological samples.
Other exhibits
to FSL for examination.
Obtain:
FSL Reports.
Expert Opinions.
Medical Opinions.
IX. Investigation of Accused
Identify all participants and aggressors.
Establish individual roles and overt acts.
Collect evidence regarding:
Planning.
Instigation.
Conspiracy.
Abetment.
Examine evidence of:
Extra-judicial confessions.
Hideouts.
Movement after offence.
Conduct after occurrence.
Vehicles Used
Identify and seize vehicles used in commission of offence.
Document and photograph vehicles.
Correlate vehicle evidence with witness statements.
X. Statements under Section 164 CrPC / Applicable BNSS Provision
Identify important witnesses.
Submit requisition to record statements before the Magistrate wherever necessary.
Preserve certified copies for prosecution purposes.
XI. Arrest of Accused
Arrest accused persons after establishing their involvement through evidence.
Follow:
Supreme Court guidelines.
Section 41A CrPC/BNSS provisions.
Other legal safeguards.
Recovery Proceedings
Conduct recovery proceedings before independent local witnesses.
Prefer Government officials and respectable witnesses where available.
Recover:
Weapons.
Vehicles.
Clothing.
Other incriminating material.
Medical Examination of Accused
Where accused sustained injuries:
Subject accused to medical examination.
Document defence injuries.
Collect relevant medical evidence.
XII. Identification of Aggressor and Counter Cases
Conduct impartial investigation.
Determine:
Aggressor party.
Defensive party.
Nature of provocation.
Analyze evidence objectively.
File charge sheet against aggressors based on evidence.
Deal with counter cases according to law and evidence.
XIII. Preventive and Community Measures
Maintain police presence in sensitive areas.
Open rowdy sheets against habitual offenders wherever legally justified.
Initiate preventive proceedings under applicable legal provisions wherever necessary.
Monitor activities of known troublemakers.
Continue peace-building measures until normalcy is restored.
XIV. Court Proceedings
The Investigating Officer shall:
Oppose bail where circumstances justify.
File applications for:
Remand extension.
Verification of sureties.
Test Identification Parade (TIP).
Maintain coordination with Public Prosecutor.
XV. Charge Sheet and Final Report
Prepare Draft Charge Sheet after completion of investigation.
Obtain legal opinion from PP/APP.
Clearly establish:
Motive.
Participation of each accused.
Overt acts.
Medical evidence.
Scientific evidence.
Witness testimony.
Submit Charge Sheet/Final Report within the stipulated period.
Responsibility of Investigating Officer
The Investigating Officer shall ensure:
Immediate restoration of peace and order.
Prompt medical assistance to victims.
Scientific collection and preservation of evidence.
Identification of aggressors and individual roles.
Timely arrest and prosecution of offenders.
Prevention of retaliatory violence.
Continuous coordination with prosecution and community stakeholders.
Goal
To restore public order, identify and prosecute aggressors through scientific and lawful investigation, protect victims and witnesses, prevent recurrence of violence, and maintain long-term peace and confidence within the community.